US 11,925,177 B2
Continuously-variable nozzle system with integrated flow meter
Marshall T. Bremer, Fargo, ND (US); Nicholas Butts, West Fargo, ND (US); Todd A. Meidinger, Fargo, ND (US); Benjamin J. Wolbaum, Fargo, ND (US); Daniel R. Wood, Jr., Fargo, ND (US); and Michael D. Schmidt, Fargo, ND (US)
Assigned to Intelligent Agricultural Solutions LLC, Fargo, ND (US)
Appl. No. 17/048,731
Filed by Intelligent Agricultural Solutions LLC, Fargo, ND (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 9, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/026600
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 19, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/204085, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 24, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/660,895, filed on Apr. 20, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0176977 A1, Jun. 17, 2021
Int. Cl. A01M 7/00 (2006.01); B05B 12/08 (2006.01); B05B 15/658 (2018.01)
CPC A01M 7/0089 (2013.01) [A01M 7/006 (2013.01); A01M 7/0042 (2013.01); B05B 12/085 (2013.01); B05B 15/658 (2018.02)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A continuously variable nozzle system configured for connection to a spray liquid source and configured for continuously, variably controlling a spray characteristic, the nozzle system comprising:
a nozzle body with an inlet and an outlet;
a conduit between the inlet and the outlet;
a flow control valve disposed in the conduit,
an actuator for controlling the flow control valve;
an impinging valve disposed in the conduit downstream of the flow control valve;
a further actuator for controlling the impinging valve, wherein the impinging valve serves to modify a mean droplet size of a spray;
a flow meter disposed in the conduit;
wherein the flow meter comprises:
a chamber with internal helical splines configured to interact with a spray liquid passing through the chamber and create a cyclone-like effect;
a sphere disposed inside the chamber for free movement along a circular path; and
a sensor disposed outside the chamber and configured to detect motion of the sphere and generate an output signal in response to detected motion.